Charities and Social Enterprise

The 'outstanding' charities and social enterprise team at Rollits LLP attracts praise for 'taking the time to really understand the client and the vision' to deliver 'extremely high quality advice'. (The UK Legal 500, 2018 edition)

Overview

Our team

Overview

Charities are at the heart of our local communities and are driven by their values. Charities and Social Enterprises offer innovative solutions to complex social problems. Characterised by diversity and innovation, the charity sector ranges from small local organisations to large national operations that may be part of a group structure, with mergers and partnerships between charities becoming increasingly commonplace.

Charities are constantly facing new commercial, ethical and legal challenges, and operating an effective charity, voluntary organisation or social enterprise requires commercial efficiency, professional management and strategic planning - as with any good business. Pressures on the sector mean that organisations are constantly looking for ways to adapt to the economic landscape.

While charities must operate within the charity law framework, they do not want to lose sight of their mission by becoming tied up in legal red tape. That's where Rollits can help.

Our sector experience

Rollits is renowned for its high-quality advice, broad experience and up-to-date knowledge of the legal issues affecting charities and social enterprises. And with tight budgets being a constant pressure, we can offer fixed-fee packages. We have become the partner of choice for some well-known national charities, social enterprises and community interest companies from across the sector.

Our dedicated charities team has experience of working on a wide range of projects for charities delivering public services, and can advise on governance and structural issues, contractual, employment and pensions issues; and for those engaged in trading, we can advise on taxation. We have a great deal of experience in assisting charities wishing to collaborate, whether through joint working or through a formal merger, and are fully conversant with the range of legal structures available. We also advise on joint ventures between charities and commercial partners.

Our charities and social enterprise team has experience of helping charities in regard to finance and fundraising issues, and we regularly assist charity trustees in relation to governance and formation. We also liaise with the Charity Commission with regard to regulatory and consent issues.

Why use Rollits?

Rollits stands out from other charity law specialists by offering a truly comprehensive package of support. Our highly-regarded charities team is well known for its pure charity law expertise, but also has the breadth and depth of knowledge required across all legal areas. We pride ourselves on providing a joined-up and practical approach that is free of legal jargon. We add further value to our services, by ensuring that we stay at the forefront of legal developments.

Our legal experts are regular contributors to leading industry publications such as New Law Journal's Charities And Appeals Supplement, writing on topical issues affecting the charity sector. In addition, we run an annual charities' legal update seminar from our York and Hull offices, and can offer in-house bespoke trustee training, seminars or briefings for charity clients and provide regular newsletters for charity clients on developments in the sector. We act for many high-profile organisations for whom we have become trusted partners including Charity Bank, which finances social enterprises, charities and community organisations throughout the UK.

A list of members' names is available for inspection at our registered office. We use the term 'partner' to denote members of Rollits LLP.
Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 524629.